Syndies mostly soften but mags stay crisp

'Regis,' 'Maury,' 'Starting Over' move up

Syndication ratings for most talkshows and all courtshows were lower in the week ended April 2, while the access magazine shows were solid.

Somewhat milder early spring weather helped pull PUT (persons using television) levels down by an average of slightly more than 2.8 million viewers from the week prior.

Of the 11 yakkers, only “Live With Regis and Kelly,” “Maury” and “Starting Over” moved higher. “Regis and Kelly” gained 3% from the week prior to a 3.3 while “Maury” was up 8% to a 2.8 and “Starting Over” gained 10% to a 1.1.

Top talker “Oprah” was down 6% to a 6.2 and fell 15% from last year at this time, while “Dr. Phil” was down 6% to a 4.8 and slipped 2% from last year.

All seven gavelers were down week to week. “Judge Judy” was down 2% to a 4.9 while “Judge Joe Brown” fell 3% to a 3.0. “People’s Court” was down 3% to a 2.8 but was the only courtshow up over last year, showing an 8% improvement.

Only two magazine shows, “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Insider,” were up for the week; the other mags all held steady from the week prior.

“ET” enjoyed the biggest increase, gaining 8% to a 5.2; it was up 2% on last year. “Inside Edition” went unchanged week to week and year to year at a 3.5, while “The Insider” scored a 2.6, up 4% for the week and even with last year.

“Access Hollywood” also earned a 2.6, unchanged for the week and up 4% from last year, while “Extra” held steady at a 2.1 but dipped 5% from last year.

Among the off-net sitcoms, “Friends” plunged 30% to a third place 4.6 after one week at the top. “Everybody Loves Raymond” regained the lead with a 6.3, up 3%, followed by “Seinfeld” at a 5.5, down 2% for the week.

Compared to last year, “Raymond” was down 7%, “Seinfeld” 2% and “Friends” 12%.